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Stitch Away Stress: A Mindful Approach to 3 Knit & Crochet Patterns

Stitch Away Stress: A mindful approach to 3 stitch patterns.

This week on Ask Me Monday, I teamed up with my friends at Clover Needlecrafts in support of the Craft Yarn Council‘s #StitchAwayStress initiative. Our focus is how by approaching a few simple stitch patterns in a more mindful way, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the meditative state of knitting and crochet. Here are 3 exercises for mindful stitching.

Materials

Any yarn 

Clover Takumi Bamboo Needles (for #1 & #2) — Warming bamboo is good for the soul!

Clover Amour Hook (for #3) — Cushioned handles makes for a comfortable experience.

Exercise 1:Breath in, knit out.

Rib Stitch (Knitting)

CO a multiple of 2 + 1.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breathing in and out with each stitch, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1…

Repeat until the end of the row, turn piece and resume meditation. Since we added that +1 stitch, there won’t be a break in your “knit 1, purl 1” mantra as you’ll end the right-side row with a “knit 1” and resume on the wrong-side with a “purl one”.

Exercise 2: Open Stitch, open heart.

Lace (Knitting) 

CO a multiple of 3.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breath and an open heart, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Knit 1, yarn-over, knit two together; knit 1, yarn-over, knit two together…

Repeat until the end of the row, turn piece and resume meditation.

Exercise 3: 

Half-double Crochet (U.S. term)

Chain any number + 2. 

Set-up row: Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and across. Turn.

Since the construction of crochet stitches is more complex than a knit stitch, it’s helpful to focus on the individual moves within the stitch for purposes of meditation. For that purpose, I’ve written out the half-double crochet (hdc) stitch mantra in moves.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breath, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Chain 2, in next stitch: [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through 1, yarn-over pull through 3], [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through 1, yarn-over pull through 3]…

VARIATION:  [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through loop, yarn-over pull through loops], [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through loop, yarn-over pull through loops]

Watch the mindfulness approach to these patterns explained in this episode of Ask Me Monday!

 

Breath in; craft out.

xx, Vickie

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Conversation with Badass Author, Jen Sincero

“You Are a Badass at Making Money” Author, Jen Sincero: A Conversation

Recently I spoke with the New York Times Best-Selling Author of You Are Bad-Ass, Jen Sincerco. She’s in the middle of a whirlwind book tour for her latest book, You Are a Bad-Ass at Making Money — including live appearances, major publication interviews, and an appearance on Dr. Oz — so I was thrilled that she made time to be on this podcast.

Jen and I talked about her road from struggling writer and musician to life-coach guru, the role that gratitude can play in success, why we as creative types are so reticent to embrace an openness to mastering wealth, and how Universal Intelligence provides all we need to know about flourishing to our fullest extent. I found Jen to be a candid, straight-shooter with a wealth of knowledge and life experience under her belt for which she doles out generously. Click here to “meet” her now, then head on over to her Show Notes Page to comment to win a copy of her latest book. Enjoy!

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Global Crafting Community Funds Vickie Howell’s “The Knit Show”

Global Crafting Community Funds Vickie 
Howell’s “The Knit Show” – Kickstarter 
Campaign in Stretch Goal Phase through April 19
The First Community-Funded & Internationally Accessible Episodic How-To Knitting & Crochet Series Begins Production This Summer

AUSTIN, Texas – The first studio-quality, community-funded and internationally accessible episodic how-to knitting web series, “The Knit Show with Vickie Howell,” has been greenlit by the global crafting community, which fully funded the Kickstarter campaign ahead of schedule, allowing extra days of stretch goals crowdfunding. The campaign ends Wednesday, April 19. 

Produced by the award-winning Austin-based production company ProductionFor, “The Knit Show with Vickie Howell” will start as a web-based series combining all the popular segments from Howell’s DIY, HGTV and PBS TV shows: industry experts and superstar guests; knitting & crochet tips and techniques, and modern, totally make-able, high-quality projects in a range of levels sure to satisfy the global craft community. Howell, who brings more than 20 years of broadcasting experience to the table and will also executive produce the project, will be joined by yarn industry leader Karin Strom, who will help develop the show content. Production begins this summer.

THE WHOLE BALL OF YARN 

Vickie Howell, well-known host of the wildly popular DIY & HGTV series “Knitty Gritty” and PBS’ “Knitting Daily with Vickie Howell,” is also an internationally recognized podcaster, blogger, magazine columnist and best-selling author for the knitting & crochet community. While TV and cable networks replaced niche, how-to programming with reality shows and scripted series, Howell saw opportunity in new media, building a global online audience by producing thousands of hours of craft-based programming through a variety of social media channels. She was the first personality in the genre to embrace Facebook Live when it was in beta, starting a weekly live stream Ask Me Monday, where views are already up more than 230% for 2017. Over the years, Howell’s audience continued to send her messages daily saying how they missed having a television show that speaks directly to them. Easily accessible craft-based TV shows have all but disappeared, but the web was also evolving and Howell had an idea. 

“Thanks to today’s technology, we can literally DIY our own DIY programming on the web and reach a worldwide audience. We want ‘The Knit Show’ to be at the forefront of the next wave of craft programming and we wanted the crafting community to help us do it. When we decided to run a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund the show, we knew reaching our goal would be more than challenging. Film & Video is the leading category for unsuccessful campaigns and the overall success rate in any category hovers just under 36%. But then something amazing happened,” Howell says. “We reached $10,000 in the first 24 hours with backers from all over the world pledging support and then Kickstarter made us a ‘Project We Love’ and we were off to the races. I have been floored by the international support from more than 1,000+ backers around the world – United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, India, everywhere. They donated, they spread the word, THEY made this happen.” 

In return for backer support, Howell continually offered special incentives, flash rewards, add-on goodies and shareables like QR codes and web badges. Throughout the campaign, she and her producing partner ProductionFor created several social media-friendly video spoofs – yarn-centric takes on Flash Dance, the Netflix phenom Stranger Things and Star Wars (see below) – as well as knitted animation of the show logo and a companion how-we-did-it video. 

“Vickie’s connection with the knitting & crochet community runs deep and her various social media channels give her one-on-one direct communication that you just can’t pay for. Along with all the cool rewards for our backers, she was in constant contact providing updates, unveiling new incentives and fun videos to them first and even went on Facebook Live to explain crowdfunding and how it works. Her street teams at craft shows, yarn shops and knitting groups around the world propelled this campaign to success,” said Clint Howell, co-founder ProductionFor. “Reaching our funding goal took a village – a village of backers, family members, teammates and collaborators who rallied around the energy Vickie cast into the project. It was motivating and we all wanted to take the leap of faith with her. Vickie’s followers have waited long enough – ‘The Knit Show’ has been given the greenlight by the community and we won’t let them down.” 

THE RIGHT STITCH

“The Knit Show” campaign wants to especially thank …

* Karin Skacel, the only female CEO of a major-player company in the industry, who never fails to support other women-driven projects. In true form, she was the first to support at the highest of business levels.

* Kathy and Steve Elkins, owners of WEBS – Americas Yarn Store and visionaries when it comes to successful models in the knitting and crochet industry, who are amongst the top-tier pledgers.

* Knitter’s Pride/KnitPro, known for its initiative to create sustainable jobs and education for women in India, brought “The Knit Show” campaign goal to 100% with its generous backing and commitment to support the “Vic’s Tips” (a technique and tip-specific segment with most episodes) feature of the series.

“The global knitting and crochet community has put their money where their collective mouth is with the successful finding of ‘The Knit Show’ campaign! Thanks to pledges from individual enthusiasts, the faith in the project from small businesses, and the endorsement by a few major players in the industry, we were able to work together to bring this project to fruition. Aside from the funding, this campaign couldn’t have been successful without the extraordinary resourcefulness and talents of the entire team at ProductionFor, along with the help of the countless supporters who shared ‘The Knit Show’ initiative on social media, included it in their business newsletters and hosted me as a guest on their shows and podcasts. ‘The Knit Show’ is truly a project for the community, by the community and I’m so honored to be a part of it!”

Find out more about Vickie’s campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theknitshow/the-knit-show-with-vickie-howell

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Howell’s “The Knit Show” appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Bohemian Fringe Wall Hanging on Studio 512

Recently, I headed down the road to the KXAN studios in Austin to film a segment for the lifestyle show, Studio 512. I talked yarn-y wall hanging trends — from knit swatches, to woven pieces, to macrame detailing — and how ANYONE can make their own using multiple textures of fringe.

Watch the Studio 512 Segment


Make a Bohemian Fringe Wall-hanging

Materials

Different textures of yarn and/or other textiles. I used Knit Collage Spun Cloud, Daisy Chain & Wildflower Drifter; and Vickie Howell for Deramores Woolpaca Chunky

10″ piece hanger (copper piping, driftwood, or dowel)

Scissors

Pompom or Bead (optional)

How-to

Cut lengths of yarns to TWICE the length of intended piece (at longest point.)
Attach pieces to hanger by folding piece in half; sliding folding portion under hanger; pulling tails through loop created by fold. Pull taught. Repeat in desired pattern.
Trim tails straight across or at angle.
Attach yarn to hanger at top to great tie. Knot.
Add optional pompom or bead at knotted area; tie an additional knot. Finish off.

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The Knit Show Kickstarter Campaign at 50% of Goal & Counting!

Midway through its 30-day Kickstarter campaign, Vickie Howell’s project, “The Knit Show” reaches over 50% of its goal
“The Knit Show with Vickie Howell” will be the first Community Funded & Internationally Accessible Episodic How-To Knitting Web Series”

AUSTIN, Texas – On March 20, 2017, Vickie Howell, host of the wildly popular DIY & HGTV series “Knitty Gritty” and PBS’ “Knitting Daily with Vickie Howell” launched her Kickstarter campaign for “The Knit Show,” the first community funded and internationally accessible episodic how-to knitting web series. At the halfway point, the campaign has taken in more than 50% its targeted monetary goal. 

 

 

“When we pulled the trigger on this campaign, I had no idea what to expect. I am delighted by the unbelievable outpouring of support and enthusiasm for this project from within the yarn world and beyond, ” Howell said. Individual pledges have come in from all over the U.S., Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and more. And yarn industry leaders including Skacel and Koigu are on board for the project, as well as beyond-craft industry companies such as millennial media power house, Brit+Co, who are lending support to this exciting project. 

To keep excitement for the campaign going, Howell (who has long been known for thinking outside of the knitting bag) and the team at ProductionFor (who will be producing the show), have released several social-media friendly video spoofs, including yarn-centric takes on 80’s film favorite, Flash Dance and the Netflix phenom, Stranger Things.

Stranger Knits

Stranger Things have happened than a crowd-funded #knitting series. Go to Kickstarter to bring "The Knit Show with Vickie Howell" into this dimension! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... #theknitshow

Posted by Vickie Howell on viernes, 31 de marzo de 2017

 

“While easily accessible craft-based television shows have all but disappeared over the years, TV and cable network entertainment has evolved, but so has the web. There may not be a place at the table right now for niche, how-to programming amidst all the reality programming and scripted series, but thanks to today’s technology we can make our own table,” Howell said about the project. “Now, we can literally DIY our own DIY programming, push it out on the web and reach an even bigger audience around the world. These are exciting times, and we want to be at the forefront of the next wave of craft programming!”  

“The Knit Show with Vickie Howell,” to be produced by the award-winning Austin-based production company ProductionFor, and joined by yarn industry leader, Karin Strom (who will help develop the show content), will be a web-based series combining all the popular segments from Howell’s previous TV shows: industry experts and superstar guests; knitting & crochet tips and techniques, and modern, totally make-able, high-quality projects in a range of levels sure to satisfy the global craft community. 

Learn more about the campaign and see how you can get involved here!

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Bi-Color Brioche Pillow

Bi-Color Brioche Pillow: Say Bye, Bye, Bi to being intimidated by the stitch!

A couple of weeks ago on Ask Me Monday, we went over the basics of knitting brioche stitch using two colors. This week, we up the ante by applying the same skill along with some simple sewing to make a Bi-color Brioche Pillow. Thanks to the quality and handiness of Clover tools like: slick, Takumi Bamboo Circular Needles, bent-tipped Jumbo Tapestry Needle, and the truly wondrous Wonder Clips — this project  comes together with relative ease and results in a pop of happy for your home, Here’s how to make this project!

Bi-Color Brioche: Skill Refresher Video Tutorial

Bi-Color Brioche Pillow 

MATERIALS

1 hank each, Debbie Bliss Paloma (60 % Alpaca/40% Wool; 71 yds/65 m), in colors: (MC) Lime #42026 and (CC) Basil #42009

Size U.S. 15 (10 mm) Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular Needle, any length

15″/38 cm piece of fabric

14″/35.5 cm pillow

Sewing needle and thread.

Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle

Clover Knitting & Crochet Wonder Clips

Iron

 

FINISHED SIZE

14″/35.5 cm square

GAUGE

Approx 2 sts = 1″/2.5 ch in Brioche Stitch, slightly stretched

Special Stitches

BP1 = Brioche Purl 1, purl together the slipped stitch and the YO from the row below.

BK1: Brioche Knit 1, knit together the slipped stitch and the YO from the row below.

 

DIRECTIONS

With MC, CO 28 sts. Do not turn work.

Prep Row: (RS CC, forms purl columns in CC on RS) Slide work to other tip of needle and attach CC wyif, *sl 1, yo, p1; rep from * across. Turn work.

Row 1: (WS MC, forms purl columns in MC) Wyif, *sl 1, yo, bp1 (purl together the slipped stitch and yo from row before); rep from *across. Do not turn, slide sts to opposite end of needle where CC is attached.

Row 1: (WS CC, forms knit columns in CC) With CC, *bk1 (knit together the slipped stitch and yo from row before), yf, sl 1, yo; rep from * across. Turn work.

Row 2: (RS MC, forms knit columns in MC) Maintain the CC yo of last worked st by holding it under left needle to the back; with MC, *bk1, yf, sl 1, yo; rep from * across. Do not turn, slide sts to opposite end of needle where CC is attached.

Row 2: (RS CC, forms purl columns in CC) With CC, wyif, *sl 1, yo, bp1; rep from * across. Turn work.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 RS and WS with colors indicated, until scarf measures 14″/35.5 cm and finishing with a RS CC row.

BO using CC as follows: K1, bp1, pass second stitch over first stitch on the RH needle (one st BO off.) Cont in this matter, knitting the knit stitches and bp1 ( the sl st and YO) while binding off.

Cut both colors, leaving 6 in/15 cm tails.

 

 

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Back pillow:

 With WS facing, fold fabric edges over 1/2″/1.25 cm and press around all sides of piece.

 

Place knit piece on top of WS of fabric, using Wonder Clips to hold in place.
Using sewing needle and thread, carefully stitch 3 sides of the knit piece to the fabric.

 

 

Insert pillow into sewn piece; seam shut. 

Fluff as necessary, an you’re done!

 

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What is Crowdfunding & Why Are Creative Entrepreneurs Like Me Using Kickstarter to Fund Big Projects

What is Crowdfunding & Why Are Creative Entrepreneurs Like Me Using Kickstarter to Fund Big Projects?

It’s an honest question. Truth be told, we’re still in the infancy stage of crowdfunding. This however, is also the dawn of a new age — one in which we use the old-school philosophy of village sustainability (help your neighbor, invest in community, barter for what you want) combined with new technology (accessible video, social media, digital payment platforms) for maximum reach towards the audience of our own, little niche–whatever it may be.

Last week I joined thousands of other entrepreneurs — from inventors and authors, to artisans and filmmakers — by embarking on my own crowdfunding journey on Kickstarter for: “The Knit Show with Vickie Howell”. Although the campaign is going well so far, it bares mentioning that currently the biggest obstacle to getting people to crowd fund a project like mine, is the lack of knowledge — especially in the general population (I’m talking to you, nanas and pop-pops!) — about what crowdfunding actually is. In my experience, however if you’re willing to talk to the people about the things, then they’re usually open to listening to what you have to say. In that spirit, I jumped onto Facebook Live over the weekend to explain the whats, whys and who’s who of crowdfunding on Kickstarter, and why I’m using it (and you should, too!) to fund a really exciting project. Click below to watch, and share wherever it may be helpful.

Creatives unite!

What the heck is crowdfunding with Kickstarter and why creative entrepreneurs like me are using it to fund the projects you want! #theknitshow http://kck.st/2nfKDqs

Posted by Vickie Howell on Saturday, March 25, 2017

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Conversation with Craft South Owner, Anna Maria Horner

Craft South Owner, Anna Maria Horner

This week Vickie spoke with textile designer, artist, and Craft South owner, Anna Maria Horner. Vickie had been admiring her and her work from afar for years, so it was an absolute pleasure for Vickie to finally meet her. They talked about Anna Maria’s multi-faceted career which includes: design, publishing, teaching, licensing and running her own Nashville shop, Craft South; as well as what she’s learned from her career journey so far, and how she’s balances it all with her role as a wife and a mother of seven children.

Click here to “meet” her now, then head on over to her Show Notes Page to comment to win an AMH Gift Pack. Enjoy!

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ANNOUNCING: The Knit Show with Vickie Howell Kickstarter Campaign!

The Knit Show with Vickie Howell: Kickstarter Campaign!

I. Am. So. Excited. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on something for some time now and have been DYING to share it with you. Now is the time!

In an effort to spearhead a void that’s been lacking in our industry for far too long — together with the team from ProductionFor — we plan to produce what will be the first studio-quality, community funded, internationally accessible how-to knitting episodic series. (Phew, that’s a mouthful!) 

What It Is 

The Knit Show with Vickie Howell is a web-based series combining those foolproof aspects from the former TV shows that YOU loved with elements that speak to today’s mindful and media savvy viewer, including: 

Industry experts and superstar guests;
Knitting & crochet tips and techniques;
Modern, totally make-able, high quality projects in a range of levels for your downloading pleasure.

Along with a heaping dose of how-to content, each 30(ish) minute episode will also include a segment focused on mental & physical health as pertains to knitting & crochet, or a fun glimpse into the shops, groups and lifestyles of our global craft community. We’ll also make it easy for you to be a part of that community through open communication via social media. PLUS, you won’t have to worry about the financial burden of having cable, or the hassle of figuring out when your public television station is airing what you want to watch. This is an egalitarian, inclusive-to-all, knitting playground made for and with you!

The entire first season of “The Knit Show” will go live, via our website and Youtube, at one time. This means whether you’re in Austin Texas, or Melbourne, Australia you’ll be able to binge watch the season whenever (and as often) as is convenient to you!

Here’s a video where I tell you that and more!

 

Are you in? Great, I knew I can count on you! Head on over to the Kickstarter Campaign page to find out more about the production team, how we plan on making the series happen, and to check out the 20 (and counting!) Rewards tiers available.

 

Thank you so much for joining us on this adventure!

xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell #theknitshow

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Conversation with Brit+Co CCO, Anjelika Temple

Brit + Co CCO, Anjelika Temple: A Conversation.

Recently Vickie sat down with this week’s guest, Brit + Co’s Chief Creative Officer, Anjelika Temple. During their conversation we talked about her journey from art school student to running the creative side of a major brand; tips on how to create a visual story for your own social media presence; how Brit+Co keeps millions of millennial readers engaged in their content; and why she herself has chosen to write and talk about her very personal decision surrounding the birth of her first child. Click here to “meet” her now, then head on over to her Show Notes Page to comment to win a Brit+Co for Target kit. Enjoy!

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